Impressions of Belgrade and Serbia (and some occasional vacation photos!) by a long-term ex-pat.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

"Lying down" policemen

What do they call them where you live: sleeping policemen, policiers couchés, speed tables, speed cushions, road humps? Here in Belgrade, they're called "lying (down) policemen," and they're basically of three kinds:

1) the "just-keep-speeding-no-damage-will-be-done-to-your-car" type as shown here in front of a school; (?!)2) the "if-you-don't-slow-down-your-wheels-will-be-knocked-off" type;3) the "gently-rounded-hill" type; 4) the "obstacle course" kind that are scattered across the road at intervals.

I have heard that in some cities there are even "dynamic" speed bumps, activated only if a vehicle is travelling above a certain speed.

According to a local news station, 7 pedestrians are struck by motor vehicles each day in Belgrade. Some say speed bumps don't prevent accidents. What do you say?

Speed bumps are not big enough. I think cars should be made to jump several feet up into the air when a driver goes over them too fast. Instead they out a dinky (tiny) with rounded corners, things made of asphalt, for people to drive across. Why would anybody slow down for something like that?

I think this is my first trip to your blog in a while. I am in Brookville, Ohio where it is cold this morning – 13 degree Fahrenheit = -10.5555556 degree Celsius. If I were just walking past you on the street I would probably smile and nod my head. I hope you would too. LOL

I'm with the speed bumps people. I think we also have a number 5 here that knocks the entire car off the suspension. I've never actually seen anyone walking in an area that has speed bumps so my opinion is they are there only to assist the economy of the repair shops.

Speed bumps are more less the same all over the world, especially in more urban districts. I've been to Belgrade on several occassions in fact, and the ones they have are the same as elsewhere. I must say that drivers are definitely more disciplined than in Italy or Spain, not to mention Greece. And the thing about 7 daily traffic victims is just rediculous and incorrect :)

Smile!

Who am I?

I'm an American woman who's lived and worked in Serbia for over 40 years. I've come to love the people with all their idiosyncrasies, and created this blog to help break some of the negative press about Serbs. I take requests for photos!